Soft, comfortable pillows are key factors to getting a good night's sleep. Because they are extra soft and long lasting, many people chose feather pillows to complete their bedding. Soft, natural feathers can be molded and shaped to fit any sleeping position. They are also durable and do not break down like pillows made from other materials sometimes do. However, feather pillows must be washed regularly to keep their shape and to maintain freshness. Lying on them night after night can cause the feathers to be mashed together. In addition, because they are made from the feathers of animals, odors may sometime occur, though they are easily managed. Learning how to wash feather pillows is easy when you follow simple steps to keep them fresh and fluffy.

Steps

Part 1 of 3: Preparing the pillows

Check the feather pillows for any rips or holes. If needed, repair them before you put them in the washing machine.

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Part 2 of 3: Washing the pillows

1

Set your washing machine on the delicate or gentle cycle.

2

Put at least two feather pillows into the washing machine to balance the load.

3

Add laundry detergent to the wash. Let the machine fill with water.

Make sure that the pillows have absorbed the water by pressing them into it manually.

4

Run the feather pillows through a delicate cycle. Do not use a regular cycle for washing the pillows. Run through an extra rinse cycle after the wash cycle is completed.

Spin out twice.

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Part 3 of 3: Drying the pillows

1

Put the feather pillows in the dryer on the gentle cycle.Sstop the dryer several times during the drying process to fluff the pillows, then continue with the drying cycle.

2

Allow the feather pillows to dry completely before removing them from the dryer.

3

Fluff your clean feather pillows. Cover them with clean pillow cases.

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Tips

When learning how to wash feather pillows, do not forget the importance of rinsing them well. Feathers absorb chemicals from laundry detergent. Running them through the extra rinse cycle on your washing machine will help rid the pillows of these chemicals.

When washing feather pillows, always remember to use the delicate or gentle cycle. Other cycles can cause the feather to clump, and may permanently damage the pillows.

To keep your feather pillows fresh, wash them two to four times every year. If you are using pillow cases to cover them, once or twice a year will be enough to keep them clean.

When drying feather pillows in the dryer, try putting a few clean tennis balls or clean tennis shoes in with them. This will help to fluff up the pillows while they are drying.

If a musty smell or other odors linger on your washed feather pillows, lay them in outside in direct sunlight for at least two hours. This will help eliminate any unwanted odors.

Try taking your feather pillows to your local commercial laundromat at least once a year. The front loading heavy-duty washers available in laundromats are ideal for washing multiple pillows, and also helps give them an extra thorough cleaning without being too harsh on the delicate feathers.

Warnings

Do not use bleach or fabric softeners when washing feather pillows. They can damage the feathers.

Do not use your freshly washed feather pillows until they are thoroughly dry. This will help eliminate any odors and allow your pillows to fluff up nicely.

Never wash feather pillows in their pillow cases. They will not be thoroughly washed if the cases are not removed first.

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